Last pick, Kawaan Baker, WR Southern Alabama (1 Viewer)

[Cowboy-Hater]

I hope this kid works out. As a graduate from USA back when they didn't have a football program., happy to see this. Their program is still building but they seem to be able to compete with established programs. Really happy for this kid.

 

[Saint Taysom]

He’s super raw, and he’s a long shot, but I think he has the athleticism and ability to make it. I’m pulling for him, but he’s got to make the most of TC and Preseason.

If he slacks or takes any of this for granted.. he’s gonna be gone... if he works and flashes, he could stick and have CSP design a little package for him and get some opportunities on STs.

 

[DisplacedSaint]

Sorry.... 7th round. Not UDFA. Close enough, though.

 

[Saintaholik]

I like this pick. Actually, it’s my favorite pick. He will be a project but has great potential with some good coaching. 4.41 40 at a pro day. He’s a 7th round pick that may be a bust but has huge upside with his size and speed.

Hard to be a bust as a 7th round pick. Those are the guys that probably have the least amount of pressure, but are hungry to succeed.

I really like Baker a lot! He has all the tools to be a really goof receiver in this league. I truly think he makes this team, and at the end of the day it was great value getting him in the 7th

 

[GilFinnerty]

I like him. He has that strong lower base makes him a effective ball carrier and yac guy like a Deebo Samuel. So he has comfort and should do well in a slot role. But he also has solid size and speed for a outside Flanker role in what we do. So some position flexibility. Be suprised if he dont make the team. If picks things up quickly should see some snaps.

 

[Randy Jones]

He had a higher draft grade than 7th.

 

[meily]

We keep on average 7 WRs for a season. The lowest in the past 8 years was 2015 with 5 and the highest was in 2018 with 12, but a few of those guys were injured like Meredith.

Locks:
Michael Thomas
Tre'Quan Smith
Marquez Callaway
Deonte Harris (primary returner)

Battling for roster spot:
Juwan Johnson - Near lock. Showed glimpses last season. Big body WR, seems to be chatter picking up about a move to TE.
Lil'Jordan Humphrey - Looked better last season that previous action. Maybe healthy and in shape.
Jalen McCleskey (FA signed) - Fastest WR on team. 4.28 40 and a 40" vertical.
Kawaan Baker (2021 7th RD pick) - Intriguing skillset, is he a Z, a slot guy or both? Huge hands, models game after Deebo Samuel and has splits that comp favorably to some really good WRs. (Thanks to NOFALCON10 for the deep dive on Baker) Potential diamond in the rough. 4.42 40
Easop Winston (FA signed) - Comps to Emmanuel Sanders (from articles before the 2020 draft). Worked with speed trainer who helped Jon Ross run the 4.2 40 and dropped his 40 from 4.56 to 4.42.
Jake Lampman - Originally a 2016 UDFA signing by the Saints and actually saw game action on ST in October 2016. Released in 2017, bounced around a bit and had some IR stints and played in the XFL. Resigned to PS this past season and then a futures deal in January 2021.

My initial guess would be:

Michael Thomas
Tre'Quan Smith
Marquez Callaway
Deonte Harris (primary returner)
Kawaan Baker
Easop Winston
Jalen McCleskey

Juwan Johnson moves to move TE. He's a large man and looked every bit of a TE in that workout video posted with Winston.

Lil'Jordan Humphrey - PS and up and down depending on matchups.
Lampman - PS or fills a ST role.

Harris, Baker, Winston and McCleskey are all sub 4.45 WRs. We haven't had this many sub 4.45 WRs in quite a while. It may be an indication of the direction of the offense.

I do not think we will keep 7 receivers but to give my opinion on who make sit...

1. Michael Thomas
2. TQS
3. Calloway
4. Deonte Harris
5. Kawaan Baker

That to me is a lock, but Payton likes to play with his roster and players can play their way on to rosters so guys like McCleskey and Winston have a shot but I think those guys go to the practice squad along with Humphrey and Johnson and will be called up and placed back on the PS according to need/injury.